Dubai Fact-File Part 1: Dubai Business Formation for Individuals

1.4 Dubai Individual Business Licensing

Licensing of individual business activity: A trade licence is absolutely essential to conduct business in Dubai. These are mainly issued and overseen by the Dubai Economic Department, although there are some exceptions (including medical professionals, who are licensed by the Ministry of Health, legal professionals, who are licensed by the Rulers Office, accountants, insurers and branches of foreign companies, licensed by the Ministry of Economy, educators and trainers, who are licensed by the Ministry of Education, and those undertaking new (or expanding existing) industrial projects, licensed by the Ministry of Finance and Industry).

The licences come in three categories:

Commercial licence (there may be restrictions in obtaining this type of licence for non-UAE citizens);
Professional licence (there are specific types of licence for doctors, architects, engineers, lawyers and accountants, and those in the construction industry);
Industrial licence
Commercial licences are required in order to operate in any type of commercial trade or business (as the name suggests!) Professional licences are for more skilled professions, such as craftsmen and artisans. Industrial licences are essential for setting up an industrial or manufacturing type of business.
Business involved in the oil or gas production industries, and financial services, must obtain a bank guarantee from a bank based in Dubai.

Licences are also issued by the Ministry of Finance and Industry and the Ministry of Health for certain business activities and banks require to be licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE.